Kristian Vigenin requests removal of visas for Canada during the meeting with counterpart John Baird

The abolition of visas for Bulgarians traveling to Canada was discussed during the meeting of the Minister of Foreign Affairs Kristian Vigenin and his Canadian counterpart John Baird. They met in the context of their participation in the 68th session of the UN. Vigenin said that the two countries are not facing any open issues and the bilateral relations are marked by positive developments. He welcomed the opening of the Canadian Visa Application Centre in Sofia, stressing the desire of Bulgaria for lifting the visa regime for Bulgarian citizens. Currently, from all EU Member States, such restrictions apply only for Bulgaria, the Czech Republic and Romania. Canadian Foreign Minister explained that legislative changes that would allow the abolition of the visa regime are already proposed.The two ministers also discussed the international situation and the humanitarian crisis in Syria and they expressed concern about the deteriorating situation and the need for decisive action by the international community and the UN. They expressed hope for positive developments in the negotiations between Israel and the Palestinian Authority. Minister Vigenin thanked for the assistance from the Canadian side in the investigation of the attack at Sarafovo Airport.

During his meeting with Foreign Minister of the Republic of Macedonia Nikola Poposki, Minister Vigenin emphasized on the acceleration of the negotiations on the treaty of good - neighbourly relations and cooperation with Macedonia. Vigenin noted that this is an issue of interest for both sides, particularly for Macedonia. Signing the treaty will ensure that an agreement has been reached on basic issues in the bilateral relations, thus removing one of the obstacles for Macedonia to get a date for starting EU-accession negotiations. Poposki said that Macedonia will propose actual steps and will also rely on suggestions from the Bulgarian side. According to him, the bilateral relations need a favorable climate that could be established with the implementation of a number of joint projects such as the opening of new border checkpoints, completing the railway line between the two countries, resuming the work of the bilateral joint economic commission and others.

As part of his participation in the General Debate of the 68th Session of the UN GA, Minister Vigenin held meetings with his counterparts from Singapore, Vietnam, Uzbekistan, Kazakhstan and Santa Lucia. Vigenin conversed with the Prime Minister of Malta, Joseph Muscat, as well as with the newly appointed Assistant Secretary of State for European and Eurasian Affairs, Victoria Nuland.

The meeting of Minister Vigenin with Victoria Nuland was mainly devoted to the issues of bilateral cooperation between Bulgaria and the United States. Kristian Vigenin thanked for the cooperation between the relevant departments in the investigation of the 2012 terrorist attack at the Burgas airport. During the conversation it became clear that the US is willing to engage in dialogue with Bulgaria on issues related to the influx of Syrian refugees, whose numbers in Bulgaria are approaching 5,000. Victoria Nuland expressed gratitude for the firm and principled position of the country in connection with the Syrian crisis. During the meeting the two also discussed the progress in the relations between the EU and the “Eastern Partnership” countries and reaffirmed the importance of the upcoming EaP Summit in Vilnius at the end of November this year.

The economic cooperation was in the focus of the conversation of Minister Vigenin and the Minister of Foreign Affairs of Singapore K Shanmugam. The Bulgarian side emphasized on the tradition of the bilateral relations, stating that Bulgaria was among the first countries to establish diplomatic relations with Singapore. Minister Vigenin thanked for the cooperation within the framework of the Programme for Technical Assistance of the Ministry if Foreign Affairs of Singapore (SCPTA), of which tens of Bulgarian specialists in public administration have benefited during the last 10 years.

Minister Vigenin held a meeting with his Vietnamese counterpart Phạm Bình Minh, during which they discussed the possibilities for intensifying the development of the bilateral economic relations and deepening the cooperation in the fields of education and culture. Minister Vigenin confirmed the intention of opening a Bulgarian Service for trade and economic issues in the largest city of Vietnam - Ho Chi Minh City. The Service will contribute to the development of the economic ties and the increase of bilateral trade. The forthcoming visit of the Bulgarian President in Vietnam was described as another opportunity to strenghten the bilateral dialogue. Discussion on the EU-Vietnam relations was also on the agenda. Minister Vigenin praised the conclusion of the EU-Vietnam Partnership and Cooperation Agreement and committed to intitiate ratification of the document by Bulgaria any time soon.

Our relations with Kazakhstan are very good but the opportunities for further development are not exhausted yet. This was said by Kristian Vigenin during his meeting with the Foreign Minister of the country Erlan Idrisov. The two discussed that Bulgaria and Kazakhstan have similar positions within the UN, they support each other on issues of mutual interest and explicitly discuss their current problems. They agreed on the need to establish a direct flight connection between Bulgaria and Kazakhstan that will contribute to the business development and the growth of tourism . Minister Idrisov requested support from Bulgaria to Kazakhstan as it will host the World Petroleum Congress in 2017.

During the meeting of Kristian Vigenin and the Foreign Minister of Uzbekistan Abdulaziz Kamilov, the emphasis was put on the readiness and willingness of Bulgaria to develop and exploit the potential of the bilateral relations. According to Vigenin, there are unlocked opportunities for strengthening the trade relations. He suggested that the possibility of opening a Consulate General of Uzbekistan to Bulgaria should be considered. The Minister pointed out that Bulgaria appreciates the country's role as a factor of stability in Central Asia. Minister Kamilov said that the achievements in the relations between the two countries before the 90s should be restored by finding suitable ways for joint development of economic ties.

As part of his participation in the General Debate of the 68th Session of the UN GA , Minister Vigenin held talks with the Foreign Minister of Saint Lucia, Alva Baptiste. During the meeting they discussed topical issues on the UN agenda. Minister Vigenin presented the application of Mrs. Irina Bokova for re-election to the post of Director General of UNESCO . Minister Baptiste expressed positive attitude and satisfaction with the proper way the campaigning for re-election was conducted.

Later Minister Vigenin participated in a working dinner of the Foreign Ministers of the EU Member States and NATO with the participation of EU High Representative for Foreign Affairs Catherine Ashton, NATO Secretary General Anders Fogh Rasmussen and US Secretary of State John Kerry . Among the topics discussed were the global and regional security challenges, current issues related to the Syrian crisis and the preparation of UN resolution on the implementation of the agreement on Syria’s chemical weapons destruction, as well as the progress on the EU Eastern Partnership initiative, etc.

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